East Columbia

December 16, 1992

Fire in Owen Brown causes $6,000 damage to restaurant

An electrical malfunction in a socket triggered a one-alarm fire that caused $6,000 in damage at a McDonald's fast-food restaurant in Owen Brown on Monday night, a county fire and rescue spokesman said.

No injuries were reported, said Battalion Chief Donald R. Howell.

About a dozen employees and customers were evacuated from the restaurant at 6385 Dobbin Road while firefighters fought the blaze, he said.

The fire ignited at about 9:30 p.m., and smoke quickly filled the inside of the restaurant, Mr. Howell said.

An employee reported the fire, and firefighters from three stations responded.

The fire, which was declared under control about 10 p.m., is believed to have been accidental, Mr. Howell said.

New traffic lights allow left turns

Left-turn lights for motorists turning from Stevens Forest Road onto Broken Land Parkway should be operating by about 9:30 a.m. today, said C. Edward Walter, county traffic engineering division chief.

The new lights mean that left turns from each direction on Stevens Forest Road will take place in phases.

Oakland Mills village residents have expressed concern that the new, wider intersection with the expanded and realigned Broken DTC Land Parkway has caused more confusing and potentially dangerous traffic patterns.

8300 block of Tamar Drive: A brown leather jacket with an estimated value of $150 was taken Dec. 7 or 8 from the back seat of an unlocked 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier after someone popped open a vent window.

* Oakland Mills: 6300 block of Stevens Forest Road: Someone stole a $60 Perry Ellis purse that was left on the back of a chair at Reliable Stores on Dec. 9 when the owner went to lunch. Inside the purse were $200 in cash, a $30 black wallet, a Maryland's driver's license, checkbooks and other personal items.

* Owen Brown: 7000 block of Deepage Drive: Someone stole a $10 black wallet, $15 in cash, a $200 Motorola car phone and case, and credit cards from a locker in the Supreme Court Health Club on Saturday.

7000 block of Deepage Drive: Someone stole a brown wallet, $50 in cash and four Lyric Opera tickets from a men's locker in the Supreme Court Health Club on Saturday.

7000 block of Deepage Drive: A wallet containing credit cards and $20 in cash was taken from a vehicle Sunday afternoon.